Hoð‘i syntax

Main article: Hoð‘i

This page gives an extensive description of Hoð‘i syntactical features.

Main clause and word order

Hoð‘i is an almost strictly SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) language.

ek‘ ðiɣ imo mɛð‘i ek‘ laž 
the man sees the dog

Despite the limited case system, the word order is essentially fixed because of the lacking distinction between the subject and the direct object.

The other elements in the sentence are usually placed in the order “time-cause-manner-place”, although they are basically freer than the main elements, as they are conveyed by the case system or by the prepositions. These elements can be emphasized by placing them at the beginning of the sentence.

The indirect object tends to be placed after the direct object of the sentence. However, if both direct and indirect objects are used in pronominal form, they are placed right before the conjugated verbal form in reverse order.